In 2018, Cape Town was teetering on the edge of a disaster: the city was running out of drinking water. A situation that seemed out of reach for a modern, bustling metropolis with a historical past in which water was abundant, yet one that reflected a harsh reality, especially for the city’s many impoverished residents. Situated in a country ranked 29th on the list of global water-scarce nations, the Cape Town water crisis was a stark signal of future challenges. Capturing Water unearths the ongoing battle to prevent the city’s taps from running dry.
Market-driven management
Directed with urgency yet maintaining a sense of hope, the film explores the intersection of politics, activism, and the harsh realities of climate change, offering a sobering reflection on the often-overlooked consequences of market-driven water management.
The poor are the most affected. The documentary follows the efforts of Faeza Meyer, a working-class activist who emerges as a key figure in the struggle against water cut-offs in Cape Town. Meyer’s commitment to fighting the policy of water restrictions forms the film’s emotional core. As the camera follows her, we are offered an inside look at the political and social complexities surrounding Cape Town’s water crisis, illustrating how government decisions, while well-intentioned, often leave the most vulnerable at risk.
At the heart of the film is the city’s attempt to manage its dwindling water supply through increasingly stringent measures. The city council’s policy of limited access to water, introduced to prevent the catastrophic scenario of «Day Zero,» when taps were predicted to run dry, became a controversial point of disagreement. The cuts disproportionately impacted the working-class neighbourhoods, many already suffering from the poor infrastructure and overcrowding plaguing Cape Town for decades. The documentary exposes how these cuts affected the daily lives of residents, particularly those living in informal settlements where access to clean water is already scarce. The focus on Meyer’s efforts to challenge these policies highlights the human cost of a crisis that is as much about governance as it is about natural resources.
The film gives an overarching portrayal of the devastating realities of the water crisis. Communities grappling with sewage spills, inadequate sanitation, and water shortages paint a grim picture of how poverty exacerbates environmental and infrastructural challenges.
The poor are the most affected.
Socio-political interplays
What stands out in Capturing Water is its nuanced approach to the issue. The film doesn’t just place blame on a failed system, but rather explores the interplay between local government decisions, private interests, and the rapidly changing climate. For example, the documentary examines the role of land developers, whose actions threaten the city’s aquifers—an essential source of fresh water.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Cape Town’s water policies comes through the examination of market-led solutions. The city’s reliance on private companies to manage water resources and efforts to privatise water supply is presented as a dangerous gamble in the face of a mounting crisis. The film explores the flaws in this approach, questioning whether privatisation truly serves the interests of the public or whether it exacerbates inequality by placing access to life-sustaining resources in the hands of those motivated by profit.
The documentary weaves compelling personal stories with larger political and environmental themes. It captures the beauty of Cape Town’s natural landscapes and the stark contrast of urban decay in the poorer neighbourhoods. The film draws the viewer into the urgency of the situation while offering deep insight into the complexities of water governance.
By focusing on the grassroots efforts of activists like Faeza Meyer, Capturing Water provides hope amidst the despair. That is a testament to the power of community activism and the ability of individuals to challenge unjust policies. The documentary is both an urgent call to action and a powerful reminder of the need for equitable solutions to the water crisis—solutions prioritising water as a human right over profit-driven management and its uses.
Capturing Water, a film by Rehad Desai
There is no replacement for water. If we don’t drink it, we die. With such a vital need at its core, Capturing Water is an eye-opening and necessary film for anyone seeking to understand the intersections of climate change, governance, and social justice. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers posed by treating water as a commodity rather than a human right. Beyond Cape Town’s water crisis—it is a film about the global fight for access to resources and the urgent need to rethink our approach to environmental and social justice.
Bianca-Olivia Nita is a freelance journalist and documentary critic. She is a regular contributor to Modern Times Review.
*This review was first published here.
